News

Following Bridegroom Orthros on Holy Monday night at St. Matthew Church in Torrance, California, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph surprised two faithful priests of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America with special honors for their service to Christ’s holy Church. As Protopsaltis Kenneth Woolsey put it, “It was like the joy of Pascha came early.”

Sayidna Joseph bestowed upon the Very Rev. Paul Doyle the high honor of the Gold Order of St. Raphael for his more than four decades of priestly ministry in a variety of capacities. To name but a few: founding pastor of St. Matthew Church, dean of the Southern California Deanery, and Protosyngellos of the Archdiocese. Father Paul has retired from those ministries, but he remains an active and trusted spiritual father to countless clergy and laity. He received his award with his typical humility. Sayidna Joseph remarked that Fr. Paul’s sole agenda has always been to serve the Lord and His people.

Palm Sunday of 2016 marked a special day for the senior-most deacon of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America: the fortieth anniversary of the ordination of Archdeacon George Shishim to the holy diaconate. His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph led a special celebration after the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles, where Archdeacon George has faithfully served for all four decades of his ministry. (View the St. Nicholas Cathedral photo gallery)

Since his ordination on Palm Sunday in 1976 by Bishop Elia Saliba (now Metropolitan of Hama, Syria), “Arch” – as Sayidna Joseph calls him – has trained dozens of men to serve at the holy altar. Many of them started as altar boys and would later become lay leaders, subdeacons, deacons and priests.

On Thursday, April 21, 2016, a joint prayer service was held at St. Gabriel Syriac Orthodox Church in Haworth, NJ, on the occasion of the third anniversary of the kidnapping of Metropolitan Paul of Aleppo and Archbishop Youhanna of Aleppo. The event, sponsored by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, and the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCH), was well attended by faithful from the surrounding area.

Special speakers included His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, who serves as First Vice-Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops; His Eminence Archbishop Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Delegate, Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of the Eastern USA; His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Chairman of SCOOCH and Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church; and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops and Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. After the prayer service a Lenten meal was served in the fellowship hall.

A new booklet by the Very Reverend Ayman Kfouf, pastor of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Sylvania, Ohio, has been released in time for this year's observances of Holy Week and Pascha, 2016. The booklet, Journey to Pascha: An Explanation of the Holy Week Services, also includes introductions by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph and His Grace Bishop Anthony.

Noted a reviewer, "Understanding the true meaning of the liturgical and theological themes of the Holy Week and Pascha allows us to participate in these services more fruitfully and profoundly....The simplified language of this guide is intended to speak to the average faithful and to help them understand the true meaning of the Holy Week services. In spite of this simplicity, however, this guide offers a complete interpretation of the vast majority of the theological and liturgical themes and practices of the Holy Week with Pascha."

On Monday, April 4, 2016, His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph attended a meeting of CAMECT (Christian Arab and Middle Eastern Churches Together) at the Armenian Orthodox Prelacy in New York. His Eminence was accompanied by the Archdiocese Vicar General, Archpriest Thomas Zain. Nearly all of the various churches with their roots in the Middle East were represented by their respective hierarchs or a representative.

There were two main items on the agenda for the spring meeting. The first was a dialogue with the New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner, William Bratten. This was a very welcomed and enlightening dialogue as it was the first time such a meeting has taken place with the leaders of the NYPD and the New York Middle Eastern Christian community. Both sides agreed to further the dialogue in the months to come. Other representatives of the NYPD from the Arab-American community were present and gave their input on how both groups can work together to help build bridges and keep our neighborhoods safe.

Nassif Elias Abdallah Saliba fell asleep in the Lord in Lebanon on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at age 94. Beloved husband of the late Adma Saliba, he was also the cherished father of five girls: Najat (Nick Nicola) of Danville, California; late Daad (Fayez Chalhoub) of Nakach, Lebanon; Dr. Amal (Dr. Gregory Dalack) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Bahaa (Gabriel Nasr) of Bickfaya, Lebanon and Attorney Ghada (Nassif Malouf) of San Francisco; Beloved brother of the late Metropolitan Philip Saliba of Thrice-Blessed Memory; Dr. Najib (Elaine) Saliba of Worcester, MA, and the late Chaheed Saliba and Nazira Ibrahim Kfouree. He was loving Jiddo of 13 grandchildren, and great grandfather of two great-grandchildren.

Nassif, most tender of hearts, loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren so dearly. Hehad a great relationship with many patriarchs, metropolitans, and clergy of the Antiochian Patriarchate, and defended the church and his Orthodox Faith on many occasions. The Funeral Service will be on SaturdayApril 2 at 4:00 pm at St. Nicholas church, Shreen, Lebanon. The Saliba family will receive relatives and friends on Friday and Sunday, April 1 and 3, 2016, between 10:00 am, and 7:00pm at their home in Shreen and on Saturday, April 2, at the hall of St. Nicholas in Shreen.

On Sunday, April 17, 2016 the IOCC Pittsburgh Metropolitan Committee plans to hold a prayer service and fund raising dinner that will benefit our Syrian brothers and sisters. This "Syrian Relief" gathering will be held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA. We would like to cordially invite your Parish to attend, and support IOCC's aid efforts in Syria. The recent conflict has been devastating. It has resulted in the displacement of a substantial percentage of the population which is now hungry, homeless, and lacking essential items. (Please see below)

Last year Archbishop Melchisedek, Metropolitan Savas, Bishop Thomas, Bishop Dr. Mitrophan, Bishop Daniel and Metropolitan Theodosius (retired) lead our Syrian Relief gathering. This year we are hoping to more fully engage all of the Orthodox jurisdictions and faithful in this Orthodox offering of love, prayer, and mercy. Please join us!

Planting the doctrines of Orthodoxy, uprooting the thistles of wicked opinion, O blessed one, and growing well the plant of faith with the rain of thy sayings, thou didst offer to God, like a good farmer, ears a hundred fold.

+ Orthros of the Feast, Tone 1

On the second Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the teachings of St. Gregory Palamas, who upheld the Orthodox doctrine that humans can know God not only through the intellect but through experience of His uncreated energies.

... every day we should stand in awe of Him, as He is with us, and do what is pleasing before Him. If we are unable now to perceive Him with our physical eyes, we can, if we are watchful, see Him continuously with the eyes of our understanding, and not just see Him, but reap great benefits from Him. This vision destroys all sin, demolishes all evil, and drives away everything bad. It gives birth to purity and dispassion, and bestows eternal life. + St. Gregory Palamas

Wednesday, March 23, 2016Public Invited to Gathering on Evening of Thursday, April 21, in Haworth, N.J.

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America and the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America (SCOOCH) are pleased to announce that a “Common Prayer Service” will be held on the evening of Thursday, April 21, 2016, at St. Gabriel Syriac Orthodox Church (750 Sunset Avenue) in Haworth, N.J. The service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

This service is meant to bring people together as they pray for the safety of two Syrian hierarchs held in captivity—Syriac Orthodox Archbishop John Ibrahim, and Antiochian (Greek) Orthodox Metropolitan Paul Yazigi—and for all suffering calamities in the Middle East. This gesture of solidarity between the Assembly of Bishops and SCOOCH also marks the commencement of the organizations’ shared work.

The distinguished speakers during the service will include His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman of the Assembly of Bishops and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Eastern Armenian Church of America and Chairman of SCOOCH; His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese; and Archbishop Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Delegate of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of the Eastern U.S.A.

The Assembly of Bishops and SCOOCH invite all residents and visitors of the Tri-State Area to join our communities in prayer on the evening of April 21st.

If any clergy would like to serve at the funeral, they should contact Fr. Michael Shaheen, Dean of the Cathedral, at frmich@gmail.com.

Marguerite was born July 21, 1933 in Montreal Quebec, Canada. She married Fred Shaheen on November 15, 1959. With her husband they served parishes in Montreal, Toledo, Charleston, West Virginia, Syracuse, Louisville, Cambridge, Worcester as well as several Mission Parishes.

Saturday March 19, 2016 will mark the second anniversary of the repose of our beloved Metropolitan Philip of thrice-blessed memory. As such, all of the parishes and missions of this Archdiocese are directed to do the following on Sunday March 20, 2016, the Sunday of Orthodoxy:

1. During the Proskomedia, the priest shall commemorate His Eminence Metropolitan Philip of thrice-blessed memory as the first among the departed.

2. During the Great Entrance, the priest shall commemorate His Eminence Metropolitan Philip of thrice-blessed memory as the first among the departed.

May his memory be eternal and may your journey through the Great Fast be spiritually rewarding.

+JosephArchbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North AmericaAntiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Advanced High School students and recent graduates can earn college credit while studying Orthodox literatureJuly 7-14, 2016Application deadline: May 2, 2016Program websiteDownload Brochure (PDF)

March 14, 2016 (St. Davids, Pa.) — What do Fyodor Dostoevsky, Nikolai Gogol, and Alexandros Papadiamantis all have in common?

They are some of the celebrated Orthodox Christian authors whose works students will read and discuss during a new honors program offered this July at Eastern University in suburban Philadelphia.

The Summer Program for Young Orthodox Scholars, sponsored by the Center for Orthodox Thought and Culture, will provide promising High School and transfer students the opportunity to earn college credit while challenging themselves intellectually and spiritually. Participants will live in residence on the university's campus from July 7th to the 14th with a select group of peers, engaged in rigorous coursework and discussion of Great Books by Orthodox Christian literary figures.

SOYO Day of Service is set for this Saturday March 19, 2016. Teens are asked across the Archdiocese to plan and carry out service activities in their local communities on Saturday March 19th, and then to share photos and comments on their SOYO service activities on Social Media that day, utilizing the tag @NACSOYO and hashtag #SOYOservice on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Teen SOYO Members are also asked to share their Lenten Journey in words and in photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #JourneytoPascha, as a way our sharing their journey and encouraging other teens to do the same.

Ancient Faith Ministries has announced the launch of Orthodox Christian Ebooks. The collaborative website features Orthodox ebooks from multiple publishers, all in one place.

"We are excited about this new web site which will provide a convenient online destination for the best in Orthodox ebooks," said John Maddex, CEO of Ancient Faith. "It will especially be helpful to international readers who are often discouraged by high shipping costs from the U.S."

The music for the Byzantine Menaion Project by Basil Kazan is now being made available in the Department of Sacred Music's PDF Library. Additions have begun with January (PDF), and will continue to be uploaded from there. Each month includes the music for the major feasts and saints of the month, for Vespers and Matins, and occasionally for the changeable parts in the Divine Liturgy.

PDFs will be offered in the Sacred Music Library's section M, for Menaion. The music is type-set, properly accented and barred, with ison, and rubrics and instructions added in, along with special melodies noted. The music was previously out of print, but is now available here in PDF format. May it help us all in our chanting of the liturgical services, as we praise our God and glorify His holy Name, honor His saints, and celebrate the Feasts of the Holy Orthodox Church!

Chehade Zeidan Zeidan fell asleep in the Lord in Lebanon on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Beloved husband of Georgette Wakim Zeidan, he was also the cherished father of Dimitri (Susanne Saikaly) of Ottawa; Rafic (Maha) of Montreal; Pierre (Connie Saikaly) and Regina Hurd (Michael) all of Roanoke, Virginia; Gihad (Marlene) and Therese all of Lebanon. He was loving Jiddo of Katya, Krista, Marcus, Elias, Jessica Dib (Jamil), Jean Paul, Dylan, Michael, Angelina, Elias, Jane, Joanne, Stephanie and Serena, and great grandfather to Michael and Mia Dib.

Chehade, most tender of hearts, loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren so dearly. The Zeidan family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 1 and 2, 2016 between 6:00 and 9:00pm at their home, 7009 Aldergrove Way, Greely, Ontario, Canada K4P 1A4.

Father Michael Shanbour, pastor of Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian Mission in Wenatchee, WA, reports that their "small mission church in Wenatchee, WA is honored to offer a beautiful, new compilation containing Akathist Hymns to thirty beloved Orthodox saints, many published for the first time (see complete list below)." God is Wonderful in His Saints is a handsome 6" x 9" hard case volume with sewn binding printed by Thomson Shore (536 pages). Each Akathist is preceded by an icon and brief life of the saint. Instructions are also provided on how to pray an Akathist.

God is Wonderful in His Saints has the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph. Bishop Basil of the Diocese of Wichita has also recommended this "very fine publication" to his Clergy Brotherhood.

On Saturday, March 19, 2016, the second Annual NAC Teen SOYO Day of Service will be hosted by SOYO chapters across the United States and Canada.

In reverence to the fundamental virtue of love, NAC Teen SOYO has asked that its chapters across the country dedicate this common day to the service of their local communities. SOYO members are being encouraged to organize an event on this date that will enable you to show Christ-like charity to your neighbors.

We want to see what you are doing, so tag @NACSOYO and use the hashtag #SOYOservice in your posts on social media! Enter your local SOYO in a contest to win a beautiful icon by simply including your parish's name in one of your posts.

Does your family homeschool? Are you considering homeschooling? If so, plan now to attend the St. Emmelia Orthodox Homeschooling Conference, scheduled for April 7-10, 2016 at the Antiochian Village Conference and Retreat Center outside Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

This year, keynote addresses will be delivered by Fr. Noah Bushelli, Pastor of St. Philip Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA, homeschooling dad, and Director of the Department of Homeschooling for the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. Fr. Noah will present the topic of Homeschooling and the Marriage Relationship.

Costs are as follows:

Early Bird - Before March 15thSingle Adult/Married couple - $82 Each child 3 and over - $32

The conference offers workshops for both experienced and beginning homeschoolers alike, with simultaneous activity sessions for children ages 3 and up.

Our weekend is both educational and retreat-like, with many opportunities for worship and fellowship with other Orthodox homeschooling families. Workshops cover topics of interest to inquiring, beginning, veteran homeschoolers and supporting spouses. If your entire family cannot attend, we welcome solo attendees, as well!

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Publications Center & AV Bookstore is holding a sale on Lenten materials for our youth. Among the items on sale are:

My Lenten JourneyAn interactive poster for kids! "My Lenten Journey" is a large full-color poster designed to help children understand how they can participate in Great Lent, with the opportunities to "do," "give," "give-up," or "think" each day during Lent as away of making his/her own offering. It's filled with fun and interesting tasks and projects, marking the way with colorful stickers.

Lenten LottoA matching game set of icons and other drawings on easy to use boards, this is for Grades K-3 . Good for use in class or at home, this Lotto game teaches the liturgical services of Great Lent and Holy Week with basic Biblical and historical events.

On Saturday, March 5, 2016, Dr. Bradley Nassif—Antiochian author, speaker, professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, and member of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Christian Church in Warrenville, IL—will be moderating a new speaker's series titled, "Engaging Orthodoxy." Metropolitan Kallistos Ware is the keynote speaker for this first event, and the Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary, along with other notable Orthodox leaders, will be the respondents.